Public health is essential in ensuring the health and wellness of entire communities.
Public health professionals provide health education to community members, work to improve health outcomes, advocate for healthcare policy, and identify and monitor diseases. All of which have significant and lasting impacts on entire populations.
Public health program graduates find work in various settings and positions, making this in-demand career a rewarding and worthwhile choice.
In this article, we’ll answer the question, ‘Is public health a good career?’ and share what you can do with this excellent degree.
What is the objective of public health?
Public health deals with the health of populations, especially concerning government regulation and support by making decisions around hygiene, epidemiology, and disease prevention.
Unlike other health careers, which focus on diagnosing and treating individual patients, public health focuses on protecting and promoting population health.
What does public health look like?
Public health professionals are often responsible for a variety of tasks and responsibilities.
Job duties within this field can range from analyzing health statistics within certain populations, finding the cause of diseases, educating children about proper hygiene, and implementing a public service campaign.
Furthermore, candidates could easily find themselves ensuring cities have safe drinking water while others work as first responders—researching, computing, evaluating, and communicating.
Public health issues are everywhere, including:
- Climate change
- Vaccines
- Healthy housing
- Gun violence
- Racial health disparities
- Substance abuse
- Reproductive health
- Transportation
- Disaster preparation
How to Make a Difference in the Public Health Field
While every person has a different reason for pursuing a career in public health, one thing is certain. This career provides exceptional benefits for professionals working in it and the communities they serve.
Depending on your interests and passions, as well as taking into account factors such as location, demand, job flexibility, and earning potential, candidates can find work as:
- Biostatisticians
- Directors of programs and services
- Healthcare specialists
- Public health nurses
- Public health management analysts
- Regulatory specialists
- Medical directors
And you will find that in all of these roles, you can improve your community, the nation, and even the global population’s health. The public health field also provides our world and candidates with the following contributions:
1. Public Health Saves Lives
According to the American Public Health Association (APHA), every ten percent increase in local public health spending leads to:
- A 6.9 percent decrease in infant deaths
- A 3.2 percent decrease in cardiovascular deaths
- A 1.4 percent decrease in diabetes deaths
- A 1.1 percent increase in cancer deaths
2. Public Health Offers Opportunities for Every Interest
Candidates are exposed to various courses and disciplines in the Master’s of Public Health (MPH) programs and their careers. Candidates choose disciplines in biology, medicine, psychology, computer science, engineering, sociology, business, education, and more.
3. Public Health: In-Demand and Growing Field
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that healthcare occupations will
grow 13 percent by 2031, resulting in about two million new jobs.
Candidates find work in hospitals, municipal health departments, nonprofit
organizations, wellness facilities, and private industries.
Lastly, candidates will be comforted that with this growth comes increased job
security and stability as this field experiences growth and replacement needs.
Does Public Health Align with My Career Objectives?
A career in public health is a great career. But, the question students should be asking is if it is a great career for them.
Are you passionate about advancing equality by making healthcare accessible to underserved communities? Do you enjoy collaborating with others and working in teams to solve problems? Would you enjoy directing a medical organization, conducting clinical trials, or advising government officials and policymakers on disease prevention strategies?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, a career in public health would be an excellent choice.
How to Start a Career as a Public Health Professional
The specific requirements for a career in public health will vary depending on the role, but all roles need a certain amount of education. Here, we’ll outline the steps you can take for a career in public health.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Candidates do not need to major in public health to apply for a graduate-level degree. Nonetheless, many schools and institutions provide a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in public health.
These bachelor programs provide students with a comprehensive educational base, allowing them to select a master’s degree that meets their specific requirements and interests.
Step 2: Enroll in an MPH Degree Program
Enroll in an MPH program if you want to specialize further or work in one of the more sophisticated public health occupations.
These programs provide students with a professional, practice-based degree that enables them to pursue leadership roles in various public health settings at the local, state, federal, and even international levels.
Step 3: Gain Work Experience
Getting your first job after graduation might be difficult, but it is doable. Internships and volunteer work, particularly throughout your degree program, are excellent ways to gain experience and broaden your network.
As you can see, a career in public health provides a wide range of perks, possibilities, and rewards.
Our 100% online MPH program at University of Bridgeport (UB) prepares public health practitioners for complex local, national, and global issues through our relevant and innovative competence-based curriculum.
With six start dates and seven-week terms, candidates can earn their MPH in as little as twelve months with our accelerated options.
We’ve been awarded $1.5M for scholarship assistance for MPH enrollments. You may be eligible for up to $10,000. Ask an Admissions Officer to see if you qualify.
Reach out to learn more about our program, or apply today. Your future starts today!